australia: the education destination 73
72 australia: the education destination
AustrAliAn cAPitAl
tErritorY
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a unique city with
an outdoor lifestyle combined with national cultural
establishments and a café culture.
TOP FIVE
1 Watch the Australian Government
in action at Question Time then
take in a view of the city from the
roof of Parliament house.
2 Enjoy the café culture at Manuka,
with brunch or coffee – or head
back after dark to the restaurants
and nightclubs.
3 Get outdoors – go paddle boating
on Lake Burley Griffin or do some
bushwalking in Tidbinbilla to spot
kangaroos, emus and koalas.
4 See Aboriginal paintings and art
from around the world at the
National Gallery of Australia.
5 Spend the afternoon at Canberra’s
wineries, sampling wine and tasting
gourmet produce from the region.
FIND OUT MORE
Act department of education
www.det.act.gov.au
study in canberra
www.educationcapital.canberra.edu.au/
Images: Australian Capital Tourism
With a relatively small population of 358,000, canberra
offers the benefits of a major city in a relaxed country
setting. many international students have been charmed by
canberra, and its educational institutions cater for visitors
from across the globe.
canberra is home to many national cultural establishments so
students have access to Parliament House, the National Library
of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the National
Gallery of Australia, to name just a few. The capital’s calendar
of cultural events is also impressive, covering everything from
a science festival to a world-renowned flower festival to a car
rally and the ever-popular Multicultural Festival.
universities And vocAtionAl institutes
canberra boasts four universities – the Australian National
University, the University of canberra, the Australian defence
Force Academy and the Australian
catholic University. The research-
focused universities work with national
organisations in canberra, such as the
commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
research organisation (cSIro),
as well as with institutions from
around the world.
canberra is also home to a number
of quality private and government
vocational institutes that welcome
international students. The government-
owned canberra Institute of Technology
has five campuses across the city.
canberra’s institutions are experienced
in meeting the needs of students who
arrive with limited English language
skills. Most of the tertiary institutions
offer English Language Intensive
courses for overseas Students (ELIcoS).
primAry And secondAry
schools
canberra has a large number of schools
– 93 government schools and 46
independent (private) schools. Each
has its own particular advantages to
offer international students. canberra
has high quality secondary schools to
educate students and prepare them
for university entry. A number of
schools now offer the International
Baccalaureate curriculum.
living in cAnberrA
International students enjoy canberra’s many cafes and
restaurants, boutique shops, markets, cinemas, museums
and art galleries. canberra’s restaurants are multicultural so
international students are never far from home-style cuisine.
canberra has a good bus network all over the city and great
cycle paths. Travel to and from campus is easy with buses
servicing all tertiary institutions and schools. on-campus
safety is also taken care of, with after-hours shuttle buses and
security staff.
There are lots of sporting facilities (eg tennis, golf, cricket,
netball, hockey, gyms and swimming pools) as well as
national parks and outdoor areas for activities such as
bushwalking, bike-riding and rock climbing. You can also sail,
row or wind-surf on canberra’s lakes.
canberra is known as the bush capital
due to its tranquil, leafy setting. Visitors
are often surprised at the number of
native birds and animals in the AcT.
Whatever brings you to canberra,
there’s a good chance you will find a
lot more to enjoy than you first
expected. This clean, relaxed and
friendly city isn’t just a great place to
study – it might even begin to feel like
your second home. •
With a relatively small population,
canberra offers the benefits of a major
city in a relaxed country setting.
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livinginAustrAliA